Rory McIlroy's protege said he doesn't mind missing majors since he gets to play with players on the LIV Golf League this season.

Tom McKibbin made his LIV Golf debut in the opening round of the Saudi International on Thursday, and the Northern Irishman made a fast start to life in the breakaway league

Tom McKibbin has made his debut on the LIV Golf circuit in Saudi Arabia after turning down the chance to play a full season on the PGA Tour after securing his card

Talor Gooch has been LIV Golf's highest earner since the breakaway league was formed and has been a regular critic of the PGA Tour, with Rory McIlroy previously in his sights

"I'm so glad that LIV wasn't around when I was that age," McIlroy said. "Because to me, all I want to do was get into the top 50 in the world, play the majors, like, try to become

LIV Golf makes its long-awaited return this week, with a number of new faces set to make their debut on the breakaway league in the Saudi capital.

Talor Gooch has spent two seasons on LIV Golf after leaving the PGA Tour in 2022 - and the Oklahoma native has not shied away from making his feelings known

Talor Gooch has out-earned the likes of Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm on the breakaway LIV Golf league and has been highly critical of those who have remained within the PGA